It was a stormy day from the moment Runo got up. In fact, it was the thunderous clap of lightning that awoke her from a very pleasant dream. She was at her birthday party and all her friends were gathered around the table where sat her beautifully decorated cake. Red velvet with cream cheese frosting topped by a carousel of tiny horses that were moving their legs as it spun around. Happy Birthday began to emanate from the carousel as brightly colored balloons were released overhead. The candles on the cake were lit and ready for her blast of a birthday wish to come true. With her eyes closed she wished "for the best birthday ever!" She rose up from her chair to reach the flickering lights with her lips poised in a perfect circle—then crash!
Stunned at first, then annoyed at the sudden end of her wonderful dream, she looked towards the window.
"Not today!" she moaned.
As she flung her quilt off to the side of the bed, her feet hit the hardwood floor in perfect unison to the sound of a cracking tree limb. At first, Runo looked down expecting to find the floor about to give way beneath her—then the crash outside her second-floor bedroom window revealed the true source. She paused—torn between running for the door and her curiosity to inspect the chaos churning outside. She opted for the door and ran downstairs to find her mother.
"Mommy!" Runo yelled frantically, running from room to room.
Her mother came out of the kitchen where she had been preparing her daughter's birthday cake.
"What on earth is going on?" her mother asked.
"Look!" Runo pointed towards the backyard slider door.
The branch of a tree was lying against it. As they both hurried towards it, a strong wind gust blew a backyard chair clear across the yard.
"Mom! What are we going to do? My birthday party!" Runo shrilled.
"Oh, for Pete's sake Runo, stop shouting." Her mother peered out into the yard to assess any further damage. The sky was dark gray and the wind was blowing at a pretty good clip—but over to the west she could see the sky clearing and the sun breaking through.
"It's just a thundercloud, see over there?" pointing to the brighter end of the sky. "It'll be over by the time your Dad sets up for the party." With that, she turned and went back into the kitchen. Runo followed but only after taking another inspection of the sky.
"Mom, how many friends are coming to my party?"
"At last count, I received twelve yes and one no."
"Somebody said no?"Runo dropped her cereal spoon on the breakfast table.
Her mother casually glanced in her direction.
"Alice Gehabich said she couldn't come because she had a dance recital to go to."
"Oh, great! She'my best friend —now what am I supposed to do?"